Chapter 1705 - 1645: The Counterpart in the Group Favorite Novel 75
Chapter 1705: Chapter 1645: The Counterpart in the Group Favorite Novel 75
Anning had a quite long phone call with An Yi this afternoon.
When it was time for dinner, Anning said to Pei Laoshi and Liu Dalian, "Third Sis is graduating soon, she’s busy looking for a job, and she told me today that her internship has been really busy, and she’s a bit overwhelmed. Dad, why don’t you and Mom go and stay with her for a few days? Help her tidy up and cook, you know, you two have been busy with me over the years, and Third Sis is in the Capital with no one to take care of her. She came back last year for the New Year, and she was so thin. Don’t you feel sorry for her?"
Hearing that An Yi was swamped without anyone to cook for her, Pei Laoshi felt terribly sympathetic.
Liu Dalian felt sorry too.
She missed Third Sis, but couldn’t leave Si Qi and Si Ya.
"If the two of us leave, what about the kids? You and Xiao Yuan are so busy..."
Xiao Yuan added a bowl of rice for Liu Dalian: "Mom, you see, Anning and I are planning to apply to a mature university to get some qualifications. A few years ago, we did okay with our business, and everyone was similar in terms of education, but now, you wouldn’t believe it, the newcomers are really impressive. Many are from prestigious universities, and some have quit good jobs to start businesses. Compared to them, we’re just country bumpkins. If we don’t improve ourselves, people will look down on us."
Anning quickly nodded, "Right, Xiao Yuan and I discussed taking a university course and then pursuing a graduate degree. The qualification is secondary; the main thing is to learn new things so we don’t get left behind by the times."
She paused, "We’ll slow down with business matters. We need to spend more time at home since the kids are growing up, and we can manage."
Having said this much, what could Liu Dalian do but nod, "I’ll call and check with your Third Sis."
Anning laughed and hugged Liu Dalian’s arm, "You guys have never been to the Capital. Stay a while longer this time. Oh, yes, my aunt is also pregnant and she’s in the Capital. You could help her out a bit, and Dad could accompany my uncle for rehabilitation when he’s free."
When Pei Yu was mentioned, Pei Laoshi was also worried.
Last winter, Xiao Yuan helped Wang Ming find a famous traditional Chinese medicine doctor, who prescribed medicine and did acupuncture, finally healing his leg.
But after being immobile for so long, he needed rehabilitation to walk steadily.
Now Wang Ming is focused on his rehab, while Pei Yu is pregnant. Being a premature baby, Pei Yu’s health was never very good, and pregnancy has been hard on her. Wang Ming is anxious too, wanting to care for her, but he’s barely able to take care of himself, let alone her. They hired someone, but hired help isn’t the same as family. Pei Laoshi was worried about Pei Yu too.
He looked at Liu Dalian, "Should we pack up and go?"
Liu Dalian knew what he was thinking.
She worried about her two daughters too: "Alright, we’ll ask Eldest’s family to buy train tickets..."
Xiao Yuan quickly laughed, "Why train tickets? Let’s get plane tickets. Let you two fly on a plane, and when you get to the Capital, enjoy it there. Once Third Sis isn’t as busy, don’t rush back. Have Aunt hire someone to take you on a nice trip; come back when you’ve had enough fun."
Anning encouraged them too, "Yeah, aren’t you getting older? Time has flown by; shouldn’t you take the time to enjoy yourselves? Our family isn’t lacking money, us siblings are doing well, and you’ve seen Aunt’s situation—how good Uncle is to her. What’s worrying you? You should seize the chance to see the beautiful scenery of our country, and then maybe travel abroad. Really, we shouldn’t just suffer through life; we should enjoy and have fun. When we can’t move anymore, we’ll have memories to cherish."
These words were appealing, truly moving Pei Laoshi and Liu Dalian.
Still, they hadn’t made the final decision.
Fittingly, Anjing came back just as they were talking.
Anning shared the plan about Pei Laoshi and Liu Dalian touring the Capital with Anjing.
Once Anjing sat down, she also encouraged them, "Dad and Mom, Lao Si is right, you ought to travel. You wouldn’t believe how fast big cities are developing now. Last year, we took Zhixian for a trip—it really broadened our horizons. I’m telling you, once you’ve got money, you should travel and expand your view."
With Anjing saying this, the old couple couldn’t sit still; they were eager to go out and play.
The next day, Anning helped them pack, and made a call to An Yi.
Zhao Chuan hurried to buy plane tickets for them; on the third day, Xiao Yuan drove them to the airport.
With the senior couple dispatched, Xiao Yuan and Anning finally got to deal with their unruly kids.
Actually, Xiao Yuan and Anning encouraged Pei Laoshi and Liu Dalian to travel because they found it hard to discipline the kids with the elders around.
They couldn’t move to a house in the county or city like Anjing and An Xian, it wasn’t practical.
If Anning moved out too, the big house would feel empty with just the couple living there. Plus, with elders being older, no one feels at ease without children around.
But living together made it hard for Anning and Xiao Yuan to discipline the kids.
The elders were too indulgent with the kids, combined with differing views—if things got chaotic, they wouldn’t have a peaceful day, and the kids wouldn’t be properly raised, earning a reputation for unfilial behavior, perhaps even mocked by others.
Thus, the couple unanimously sent the elders to An Yi, figuring out a way to keep them away longer.
By the time Si Qi and Si Ya were old enough for kindergarten, they’d likely be disciplined well. Besides, going to kindergarten means not spending the whole day with the elders—it would be reassuring.
Anning and Xiao Yuan each took a child with them, teaching them while reading books.
Not teaching them to read, but mainly teaching them morals.
While disciplining them, Anning realized the kids had lots of issues.
The kids were not only rude, always swearing, but also lazy and gluttonous, picky eaters; refusing this or that. If reprimanded, they would throw tantrums and make a fuss.
If left unchecked, they’d likely end up like Xiao Lei.
Thankfully, the kids are still young, making discipline timely.
The first thing Anning corrected was their nighttime bathroom habits.
Despite being this old, they still needed adults for nighttime bathroom trips; Anning spent a few nights sleeping with them. When they needed the bathroom at night, she had them put on slippers themselves. Unwilling at first, Anning ignored them until they couldn’t hold it and went on their own.
The first night, Si Qi fussed for a while, angrily wetting the floor.
Anning watched him wet the floor, then simply didn’t let him back into bed. He was handed a small mop to clean up, only allowed back in when he finished cleaning.
Si Ya, seeing this, didn’t dare fuss anymore, obediently putting on slippers and going to the bathroom.
Then there was the eating issue—they were picky eaters, but Anning just cooked the same meals; if they didn’t eat, they’d stay hungry. If truly starving, they’d eat anything.
After that, Anning and Xiao Yuan spent a long time correcting their swearing.
They educated the kids by storytelling, making them realize swearing wasn’t good and guiding them to change slowly.
The couple spent lots of time with the kids, correcting their bad habits bit by bit.
While managing the kids, the couple also passed the adult college entrance exam and got their university degrees.